A new mural calling on young people to aim high has been officially launched today (10 October) on the corner of Avalon Dr and Grandview Rd in Nawton.
The design incorporates three main elements: butterfly wings, a cherry blossom tree and a quote “Until you spread your wings, you’ll have no idea how far you can fly”. The artwork represents youth and encourages them to explore different opportunities.
Designed by Paige Te Whetu from Year 12 at Fraser High School and painted with the help of seven fellow students, the artwork is the second Hamilton City Council-funded mural unveiled in Nawton in recent weeks.
It’s part of the council’s Tagbusters programme aimed at discouraging tagging, making people feel safer and beautifying communities.
“Murals are a very proactive way of reducing graffiti and we feel it’s very important these partners are involved given the artwork becomes part of the community.”
The mural has been kindly supported by the building’s owner Paul and his tenant Thakor.
The students carried out their work under the Career Navigator scheme for students run by the Graeme Dingle Foundation Waikato charity
Career Navigator Programme Coordinator Victoria Tsoy says a special facet of the mural is that it was youth-led. “The fact that the mural is done by young people shows that there are still many of them that care about their community, are proud to be from West Hamilton and want their neighbourhood to look beautiful.”
The Council’s City Safe Liaison Officer Kerry Schaab says the mural site had become a ‘canvas’ for graffiti and was unsightly for locals and commuters alike. “It’s fantastic that the students have been able to transform an area of high tagging into a creative scene able to be shared with everyone in the community.”
City Safe Operations Manager Paul Blewman says a range of murals are commissioned each year through the Tagbusters programme which involves working closely with the community and other organisations. “Murals are a very proactive way of reducing graffiti and we feel it’s very important these partners are involved given the artwork becomes part of the community.”